A Rally for Unity in the Fight Against Bigotry

Toni McNeil was standing in a circle surrounded by dozens of people gathered Friday to condemn white supremacy following the incidents in Charlottesville, Virginia, when a white man tapped her on her right shoulder.

As she turned, the man called her over to him. The interaction lasted less than 60 seconds but it made her want to cry.

“I want to tell you I’m sorry,” he told her with tears in his eyes and her hand in between his.

McNeil, an elder at Victory in Praise, didn’t know him but it was a moment that captured the essence of why the group had gathered.

Faith in the Valley, a five-county faith-based grassroots organization composed of 120 congregations, held a rally Friday afternoon at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza on El Dorado and Fremont streets to unite people in the community, denounce white supremacy, tell city leaders to not issue any permits if white supremacist groups want to gather in Stockton, and ask that local law enforcement agencies create plans in the event such protests erupt in the city.

“The passion, expertise and focus that Dr. Nadine will bring to this critical body of work will bring the necessary attention and light to propel forward our collective work to address and end disparities in our communities,” said Pastor Trena Turner, executive director, Faith in the Valley.

Hundreds of people around Kern County gathered in support of the fourth annual Walk For Justice. Faith leaders and families came together in support of those who have lost family members during encounters with police.

In the face of escalated ICE enforcement, faith communities in Fresno and across the Central Valley rallied support to accompany and defend families threatened with militarized immigration enforcement.

Faith in the Valley believes that by coming together as a region, we can leverage investment in our communities across the Valley, dramatically impact policies that benefit the most vulnerable members of our region, and build the power we need to make the Central Valley a place where all people can have safe and healthy lives.